Smart urinals and methods of making and using same

ABSTRACT

A urinal includes a body having an interior portion and an exterior portion. The urinal has an analysis portal having a sensing part and an investigating part communicatively coupled to the sensing part. The sensing part has a display and at least one sensor. The investigating part is configured to authenticate a user when the user is proximate the body. The sensing part is configured to directly receive urine voided by a user.

FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosure relates generally to the field of devices for evaluatinghuman waste. More specifically, the disclosure relates to a urinal thatcan evaluate a urine sample of a user, and which can communicate withthe user and others based on the evaluation.

SUMMARY

The following presents a simplified summary of the invention in order toprovide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. Thissummary is not an extensive overview of the invention. It is notintended to identify critical elements of the invention or to delineatethe scope of the invention. Its sole purpose is to present some conceptsof the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the more detaileddescription that is presented elsewhere.

According to an embodiment, a urinal comprises a body having an interiorportion and an exterior portion. The interior portion includes a cutout.The urinal includes an analysis portal which comprises a sensing partand an investigating part. The sensing part includes a fluid acceptingportion, a display, and a plurality of sensors. The investigating partcomprises a computing device and is communicatively coupled to thedisplay and the plurality of sensors. The analysis portal is situatedwithin the cutout such that the fluid accepting portion is configured todirectly receive urine voided by a user. The computing device includes ahealth screener configured to determine at least one characteristic ofthe urine.

According to another embodiment, a urinal comprises a body. The body hasan interior portion and an exterior portion. The urinal includes ananalysis portal which has a display. At least a part of the analysisportal is situated within the interior portion. The analysis portal isconfigured to wirelessly communicate with a computing device based on adetermination of at least one characteristic of urine voided by a useron the analysis portal.

According to yet another embodiment, a urinal includes a body having aninterior portion and an exterior portion. The urinal also has ananalysis portal having a sensing part and an investigating partcommunicatively coupled to the sensing part. The sensing part has adisplay and at least one sensor. The investigating part is configured toauthenticate a user when the user is proximate the body. The sensingpart is configured to directly receive urine voided by a user.

According to another embodiment still, a urinal comprises a body havingan interior portion and an exterior portion. The urinal includes ananalysis portal that has a display associated therewith. The analysisportal interacts with urine voided by a user in the interior portionwhen the user is proximate the urinal. The analysis portal is configuredto wirelessly communicate with a computing device based on theinteraction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

Illustrative embodiments of the present invention are described indetail below with reference to the attached drawing figures and wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an example smart urinal, according toan embodiment;

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an analysis portal of the smarturinal of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of theanalysis portal of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4A-4C schematically illustrate the workings of a plungerassociated with a sensor of the analysis portal of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates an investigative computer of theanalysis portal of FIG. 2 and outlines communication between it andother computing devices;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a mobile device configured to communicatewith the smart urinal;

FIG. 7 shows an example user record created by the investigativecomputer of FIG. 5; and

FIGS. 8A-8B show a flowchart illustrating an example method of using thesmart urinal.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Commercial establishments such as bars, hotels, gyms, restaurants, etc.,are constantly trying to find ways to increase patronage. For example, agym may invest in a new exercising machine to lure new patrons. Or, forexample, a bar may offer a signature drink to attract and retaincustomers. Such efforts may not always be successful, at least in partdue to their limited appeal. A new exercising machine may not excite apotential patron who does not intend to use that particular machine.Similarly, a potential customer at a bar may not be partial to theingredients of the particular signature drink being offered by the bar.One thing, however, may be common to all patrons—each of them, from timeto time, will need to use a restroom to empty his or her respectivebladder. For all male patrons, this may translate to a trip to a urinalat the commercial establishment. A urinal configured to allow users tofunctionally interact with the urinal may thus be of immediate interestto a large segment of commercial entities' patrons.

Patrons of establishments may also be interested in monitoring theirhealth. Numerous recent studies show that consumers, on average, aremore conscious about their health than ever before. Traditionally, tomonitor one's health, an individual may visit a physician, who mayprocure a sample of the individual's blood, skin, urine, etc., and sendsame to a lab for testing and analysis. This process may be costly andtime consuming, which may deter individuals from quantitatively and/orqualitatively monitoring their health on a regular basis. Equipping aurinal—which male members of the society may use several times a day inany event—with health monitoring capabilities may be an easy andconvenient way to allow men (and other users of urinals) to monitortheir health on regular basis. The present disclosure relates at leastin part to a smart urinal which may have associated therewith a noveltyfactor and/or which may be used by individuals to monitor their health.

FIG. 1 shows a smart urinal 100 according to an example embodiment ofthe present disclosure. The smart urinal 100 may have a body 102 havingan interior part 1021 and an exterior part 102E. The body interior part1021 may include a recessed back portion 104 and a projecting portion106 that extends from the recessed back portion 104 at a lower side 104Lthereof. The projecting portion 106 may be circumscribed by a lip 107 ofthe body 102.

For the purposes of illustration, the body interior part 1021 is dividedinto three zones: a bottom zone A, a middle zone B, and a top zone C.The bottom zone A may include the projecting portion 106 and a part ofthe back portion 104 (collectively, a fluid drainage area 108) and havea drain 110. The middle zone B may be adjacent (e.g., above) the bottomzone A and may include at least a part of the back portion 104 which, ina standard urinal, is configured to directly receive urine from a user(herein, a fluid receiving area 112). Top zone C, which may also includea part of the back portion 104, may be adjacent (e.g., above) the middlezone B and comprise an auxiliary area 114. While the urinal 100 is shownas having a particular shape in the figures, the artisan will understandfrom the discussion herein that the shape of the urinal 100 in thefigures is merely exemplary and is not intended to be independentlylimiting. For example, in an embodiment, the smart urinal may be devoidof the auxiliary area, and may include a fluid drainage area and a fluidreceiving area that are respectively smaller than the fluid drainagearea 108 and the fluid receiving area 112 shown in the figures. Or, forexample, the urinal 100 may be an open air urinal, a wall or floormounted community urinal, etc. In some embodiments, the appearance(e.g., color, shape, etc.) of the smart urinal may correspond or relateto the commercial establishment within which the urinal is located (forinstance, if the smart urinal is situated within a sports bar, theurinal may be configured to resemble a portion of a keg). Thus, thesmart urinal (e.g., the smart urinal 100) may take on one of anymultitude of shapes, and any urinal, whether now known or subsequentlydeveloped, may be converted to a smart urinal in line with the teachingsof the present disclosure. For example, and as discussed herein, a priorart urinal may be retrofitted (e.g., temporarily or permanently) toserve as the smart urinal 100.

The urinal body 102, in a currently preferred embodiment, is constructedprimarily of stainless steel (e.g., heavy gauge type 304 stainlesssteel, type 316 (or marine grade) stainless steel, etc.), as stainlesssteel is resistant to corrosion and can be easily cleaned. In otherembodiments, the body 102 may instead be made of other metals ornon-metals (e.g., ceramics, porcelain, glass, polymers, etc.).

The auxiliary area 114 may include a primary display 116. The primarydisplay 116 may be secured to the back portion 104 of the body interiorpart 1021 (e.g., using waterproof adhesive, waterproof fasteners, and/orother mounting arrangements). The primary display 116 may be waterproofand/or may be enclosed in a waterproof housing (e.g., a glass case). Thedisplay 116 may be an LCD display, an LED display, a HD display, a 3Ddisplay (e.g., a glasses-free 3D display), a 4K display, or any otherdisplay (e.g., a display having touch screen capability) whether nowknown or subsequently developed. In an embodiment, the display 116 maycomprise smart glass (i.e., glass whose light transmission propertiesare altered when energy (e.g., voltage, light, heat, etc.) is appliedthereto); for instance, the primary display 116 may be a waterprooforganic light emitting diode (OLED) display. In some embodiments, theprimary display 116 may be configured to be remote controlled andprimary display content 116C displayed on the primary display 116 may befed to the display 116 over a wireless network. Alternately, or inaddition, an investigative computer, discussed further below, may serveto control the operation of the primary display 116.

The auxiliary area 114 may also include waterproof speakers 118. Thespeakers 118 may be communicatively coupled (e.g., via wires or over awireless network) to the primary display 116. In an embodiment, thespeakers 118 may be adjacent the primary display 116 (e.g., one speakers118 may be secured to the back portion 104 at one side of the primarydisplay 116 and another speaker 118 may be secured to the back portion104 at an opposing side of the primary display 116). In otherembodiments, the speakers 118 may be internal to the primary display116. In some embodiments, the primary display 116 and/or the speakers118 may be situated elsewhere, e.g., in a different zone, outwardlyadjacent (such as at the top or side of) the body exterior 102E, etc.The primary display 116 and/or the associated speakers 118 may also, inembodiments, be omitted. The size and shape of the primary display 116and/or the speakers 118 may be configured for a particular application(e.g., the primary display in a large urinal may have a larger screenfor display relative to a primary display in a smaller urinal).

The smart urinal 100 may include an analysis portal 120. The analysisportal 120 may include a sensing part 122 and an investigating part 124(see FIG. 2). The sensing part 122 may have a housing 122H which may beremovably secured to a housing 124H of the investigating part 124 (e.g.,via waterproof fasteners 123A and clips 123B, or other means) such thata junction 123C between the sensing part housing 122H and theinvestigating part housing 124H is watertight. In some embodiments, aseal (e.g., a neoprene or other seal) 125 may be disposed between thesensing part housing 122H and the investigating part housing 124H toensure that no fluids in contact with the sensing part 122 enter theinvestigating part housing 124H.

The sensing part 122 may include a fluid accepting portion 126 having anupper surface 126U. The fluid accepting portion 126, as discussedherein, may be configured to accept fluids (e.g., urine of a user,water, cleaning compounds, etc.). More particularly, the fluid acceptingportion 126 may include one or more fluid sensing regions 128. Forexample, and as shown in FIG. 2, the fluid accepting portion 126 of thesensing part 122 may include fluid sensing regions 128A-128H.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the sensing part housing 122His generally in the shape of a triangular prism, the investigating parthousing 124H coupled thereto is generally in the shape of a rectangularcuboid, and the upper surface of each of the eight fluid sensing regions128A-128H is generally rectangular. Such, however, is merely exemplary.The analysis portal 120 (e.g., each of the sensing part 122, theinvestigating part 124, the sensing regions 128, etc.) may, inembodiments, take on other regular or irregular shapes, and any numberof fluid sensing regions 128 (e.g., one, two, fifty, hundred, etc.) maybe provided on the fluid accepting portion 126. For example, FIG. 3shows an alternate embodiment 120′ of the analysis portal 120 havingseven fluid sensing regions 128A′-128G′; as can be seen, in thisembodiment, an upper surface 126U′ of the fluid accepting portion 126′is generally circular, the investigating part housing 124H′ is generallycylindrical, and the fluid sensing regions 128A′-128G′ are triangular ortake on other symmetrical and non-symmetrical shapes. Thus, it will beappreciated that the analysis portal (e.g., the analysis portal 120) maytake on any shape. In embodiments, the fluid accepting portion 126 ofthe analysis portal 120 may be configured to contact fluids directly(e.g., is configured to directly accept urine voided by a user).

Urine is a complex biofluid. Studies indicate that urine of humans mayinclude over 3,000 detectable compounds and other substances. A healthyadult having a normal fluid intake of about 2 liters a day typically hasa daily urine output of between 800 to 2,000 milliliters. Approximately95% of a healthy individual's urine is water. The remainder may consistof solutes (i.e., chemicals which may be dissolved in water). Some ofthe solutes may be the result of normal or abnormal biochemical activitywithin the cells of the human body, whereas other solutes may be due tochemicals that originated outside the body (e.g., pharmaceutical orother drugs). In general, the solutes within the urine of a healthyindividual may be classified into two groups—organic molecules, andions. The organic molecules may be electrically neutral and may belarger in size relative to the ions. These organic molecules mayinclude, for example, urea, creatinine, uric acid, enzymes, hormones,carbohydrates, etc. The ions in the urine are either positively ornegatively charged, and may include, for example, Sodium (Na⁺),Potassium (K⁺), Magnesium (Mg²⁺), Calcium (Ca²⁺), Ammonium (NH₄ ⁺),Sulfates (SO₄ ²⁻), Phosphates (H₂PO₄ ⁻, HPO₄ ²⁻, PO₄ ³⁻), etc.

The skilled artisan understands that analysis of the urine of anindividual, including of the constituents thereof, can offer keyinsights about the individual's short-term and long-term health andoverall well-being. For example, the skilled artisan appreciates thatsugars are discharged in a healthy individual's urine at no more than 50mg/dl. In diabetics, however, this number may increase to severalhundred mg/dl, and even several thousand mg/dl. Thus, exorbitant amountsof sugar or ketones in one's urine may indicate that the individual isdiabetic and/or that his kidneys are damaged or diseased. Similarly, thepresence of the Leukocyte Esterase enzyme in one's urine may indicatethat the individual is currently suffering from a urinary tractinfection. An abnormally high specific gravity of an individual's urinemay indicate that the individual is currently dehydrated. Presence ofBilirubin in one's urine may suggest liver disease. Presence of largeamounts of proteins in a person's urine may indicate that the person hasproteinuria. Presence of blood or myoglobin in the individual's urinemay indicate that the individual suffers from hematuria. An upwardtrending alcohol content of the urine may indicate that the user iscontinually consuming alcoholic beverage(s). And so on. Indeed, theskilled artisan appreciates that the appearance (e.g., color) of theurine, its pH, its volume, its contents, its concentration, itstemperature, its smell, the pressure at which it is voided and its flowrate, etc., may all provide valuable insights into an individual'shealth and well-being.

Typically, urinalysis is conducted in a lab. For example, an employerscreening a potential employee for recreational drugs may send theemployee to a lab for urinalysis. A sports team may require its playersto go to a lab for urinalysis and the screening of performance enhancingdrugs. A patient having back pain may likewise be ordered by a doctor togo to a lab for urinalysis. Such may inconvenience the test taker (e.g.,a person may have to take several hours out of his day to drive to a labfor the testing of a sample of his urine). Because of thisinconvenience, and the costs associated with the lab urinalysis, eventhe health conscious individuals of today generally have their urineanalyzed only when required to do so (e.g., once every year, once everytwo years, etc.). Since urinalysis may provide key insights into anindividual's health and well-being, it may be desirable to provideindividuals the opportunity to have their urine tested more regularlyand conveniently. It may also be desirable to securely store results ofthese tests and to provide the test taker individualized and real-timeand/or near-time feedback based on the results of the urinalysis. Thesmart urinal 100 may provide for such.

Returning now to FIG. 2, each of the fluid sensing regions 128A-128H ofthe analysis portal sensing part 122 may include a contact ornon-contact sensor 130. The sensors 130 may be temperature sensors,pressure sensors, color sensors, pH sensors, conductivity sensors, bloodalcohol sensors, bacteria sensors, olfactory sensors (e.g., conductingpolymer sensors), other biosensors (i.e., devices that convert abiological response, here the urine of a user, into an electricalsignal), and/or any other sensors used for “lab-on-a-chip” applications,whether now known or subsequently developed. Each sensor 130 may beconfigured to sense and/or determine (e.g., quantitatively orqualitatively) a characteristic in the urine of an individual.

In an embodiment, the fluid sensing regions 128A-128H may includesensors 130A-130H, respectively. The sensors 130A-130H may be disposedon the upper surface 126U of the fluid accepting portion 126, may beembedded in the upper surface 126U, and/or may be underneath the uppersurface 126U. For instance, as shown in FIG. 2, and only by way ofexample, sensors 130A-130G may be disposed on the upper surface 126U ofthe fluid accepting portion 126 or be embedded therein, and sensor 130Hmay be underneath the upper surface 126U of the fluid accepting portion126 of the sensing part 122. The investigating part 124 may becommunicatively (e.g., electronically via wires or wirelessly) coupledto the sensing part 122. As discussed herein, the investigating part 124may evaluate the readings taken by the one or more sensors 130A-130H,and may generate one or more outputs in response.

The analysis portal 120 may be disposed (e.g., secured or otherwisesituated) within the urinal body interior 1021 such that an individualcan urinate on the fluid accepting portion 126 directly. For example,and as shown in FIG. 1, the body interior 1021 (and more specifically,the back portion 104) may include a cutout 102C, and the analysis portal120 may be situated within the body interior 1021 such that at least apart of the fluid accepting portion 126 of the sensing part 122 is infront of the back portion 104 and the cutout 102C and at least a part ofthe investigating part 124 is behind the back portion 104 and the cutout102C. As can be seen, the fasteners 123A may be accessible while theurinal 100 is configured for use (e.g., is secured to a wall via hooks132 (FIG. 1) and fasteners (not shown), or other means). Thus, thesensing part housing 122H (and the sensing part 122 housed therein) maybe uncoupled from the investigating part housing 124H (e.g., formaintenance, cleaning, etc.) without the need to dismantle the urinal100. In embodiments, the analysis portal 120 may be modular such thatthe sensing part 122 of one analysis portal 120 may be removed therefromand be communicatively coupled to the investigating part 124 of anotheranalysis portal 120.

When the analysis portal 120 is situated within the body interior 1021,the sensing part 122, and specifically the upper surface 126U of thefluid accepting portion 126 thereof, may be angled with respect to thehorizontal. For example, the upper surface 126U may make a 135 degree, a150 degree, or a different angle with respect to the horizontal. Thismay allow urine voided on an upper portion of the upper surface 126U(e.g., urine voided on the fluid sensing regions 128A, 128D, and 128F)to gradually flow down the upper surface 126U and fall eventually intothe fluid drainage area 108 by virtue of gravity. The gradual flow ofthe urine from the upper surface 126U down into the fluid drainage area108 may allow sensors 130 adequate time to measure variouscharacteristics of the urine, as discussed herein. In other embodiments,however, and depending on the particular application, the upper surface126U of the fluid accepting portion 126 may be generally perpendicularto the horizontal.

In an embodiment, the sensors 130 may be disposed at strategic areaswithin the sensing part 122 such that the urine of a user voided on thefluid sensing region 128D is automatically persuaded to reach theremaining fluid sensing regions 128A-128C and 128E-128H before the urineexits through the drain 110. For example, the upper surface 126U of thefluid accepting portion 126 may be slightly convex, or a web of channelsmay be provided on the upper surface 126U such that urine voided on thefluid sensing region 128D reaches the other fluid sensing regions128A-128C and 128E-128H. In some embodiments, one or more of the sensingareas 128A-128H may include pits or other indentations to retain fluids(e.g., the urine of a user, water, cleaning compounds, etc.) temporarilybefore they are flushed out the drain 110. In other embodiments, pitsand/or channels may be etched into the back portion 104 of the urinalbody 102 (e.g., etched into the stainless steel back portion 104), andthe sensors 130A-130H may be disposed within these pits. Thus, theanalysis portal 120, and specifically the sensing part 122 thereof, maybe configured in one of any number of ways so long as urine voided on aparticular portion of the sensing part 122 (e.g., on the fluid sensingregion 128D) is persuaded to flow to other portions of the sensing part122; such may allow multiple sensors 130 to measure differentcharacteristics of a solitary urine sample.

Another factor that may be taken into consideration when disposing thesensors 130 in strategic areas within the sensing part 122 situated inthe urinal 100 is the amount of cleaning required by these sensors 130to make accurate (or relatively accurate) measurements. For instance,remnant urine from a prior user may adversely affect (e.g., cause to beinaccurate) the readings of a sensor for detecting the presence of drugsin a urine sample more so than the readings of a temperature sensor.Thus, the sensors 130 may be situated within the urinal body interior1021 such that the sensors 130 that require the most cleaning aresituated in areas most likely to be more thoroughly cleaned upon“flushing”. In some embodiments, the urinal 100 may have automaticflushing capability (e.g., a proximity detector 134 (such as an infraredor other suitable sensor, see FIG. 1) may detect that a user is nolonger in front of the urinal 100, and the flushing mechanism mayresultantly be activated). When the flushing mechanism is activated,water may flow down from top zone C (e.g., through an opening in theupper side of the back portion 104) down to the middle zone B, andultimately to the bottom zone A. This water may, in general, get dirtieras it makes its way from the top zone C to the bottom zone A (i.e.,urine within the urinal body 102 may mix with the water as it makes itsway down to the drain 110). Hence, in an embodiment, the sensors 130associated with the sensing regions 128A, 128D, and 128F (which, in theillustrated embodiment, are upstream from the other sensing regions 128and may generally receive the cleanest water upon flushing) may be thosesensors 130 for which cleanliness and wash-down predictability is mostimportant.

When conducting urinalysis, measurement of certain characteristics mayrequire that the urine be diluted (e.g., with water or anothersubstance) before testing. In some embodiments, thus, one or more of thefluid sensing regions 128, including the sensors 130 associatedtherewith, may be disposed within the fluid drainage area 108. Forexample, and with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, sensors 130C, 130E, and130H may be situated within the urinal body interior 1021 such that theyare below water line 136. Such configuration may ensure that the sensors130 below the water line 136 receive a diluted sample of urine fortesting.

As noted above, the sensing part 122 includes sensors 130 (e.g., sensors130A-130H) that are disposed on, embedded within, or situated below theupper surface 126U of the fluid accepting portion 126. Those sensors 130that are below the upper surface 126U of the fluid accepting portion 126(e.g., sensor 130H) may, in embodiments, test the fluid (e.g., undilutedurine, urine diluted with water or another substance, etc.) after it hasbeen drawn into a tube or other container below the upper surface 126U.Pores (e.g., pore 138, see FIG. 2) may be provided on the fluidaccepting portion upper surface 126U to allow for a sample to be drawninto the tube and pushed out therefrom after analysis. FIGS. 4A-4C showthe example sensor 130H in more detail.

Specifically, FIG. 4A shows the fluid sensing region 128H having thepore 138. A tube 140 having a mouth 140M may extend downward from thefluid accepting portion upper surface 126U. The mouth 140M of the tube140 may be adjacent the upper surface 126U, and specifically, adjacentthe pore 138 to allow for a sample of fluid to be drawn into the tube140. In an embodiment, the tube 140 may have a plunger 142, which isshown in a first position 144A in FIG. 4A. In the first position 144A,the plunger 142 may seal the mouth 140M and thereby preclude fluid(e.g., urine) from entering the tube 140 through the pore 138. Whentesting of a sample is to be conducted, the plunger 142 may move fromthe first position 144A in direction A to a second position 144B, asshown in FIG. 4B. Movement of the plunger from the first position 144Ato the second position 144B may cause fluid (e.g., urine) to be drawninto the tube 140 via the pore 138. The sensor 130H may test the fluidsample while the sample is within the tube 140. Thereafter, as shown inFIG. 4C, the plunger 142 may move in a direction B back to its firstposition 144A, which may cause the sample to be pushed out of the tubemouth 140M and through the pore 138 back to the fluid accepting portionupper surface 126U (at which point it may start to flow towards thedrain 110). This configuration may ensure that a specific known volumeof fluid is provided to the sensor 130H for testing. In someembodiments, after the urine sample within the tube 140 has been testedusing the sensor 130H and pushed out the tube 140, and before anotherurine sample is tested, the tube 140 may undergo a cleanup process.Specifically, after the urine sample is pushed out the tube 140, theplunger 142 may move back from its first position 144A to its secondposition 144B to draw in water (or cleaning fluids, as discussed below),and thereafter, move back to its first position 144A to push the waterout the tube 140. Movement of the plunger 142 may be effectuated by anelectromechanical (e.g., a motor), hydraulic, or other system, theoperation of which may be controlled by the investigative computer(discussed further below).

In embodiments, the analysis portal 120, and specifically the sensingpart 122 thereof, may include a secondary display 150. In theillustrated embodiment, the secondary display 150 is situated in thefluid sensing region 128D. Of course, in other embodiments, thesecondary display 150 may be situated elsewhere within the urinal 100 ormay be omitted. In some embodiments, the secondary display 150 mayextend along the entire upper surface 126U of the fluid acceptingportion 126. Like the primary display 116, the secondary display 150 maybe an LCD display, an LED display, a HD display, a 3D display (e.g., aglasses-free 3D display), a 4K display, an OLED or other smart glassdisplay, or any other display (e.g., a display having touch screencapability) whether now known or subsequently developed. The secondarydisplay 150 may be waterproof, and may be embedded within or disposedatop the fluid accepting portion upper surface 126U.

To illustrate the workings of the smart urinal 100, a non-limitingexample is detailed below. In this example, the sensors 130 areconfigured as follows: the sensor 130A is configured to detect thepresence of drugs (e.g., illicit recreational drugs, performanceenhancing drugs, pharmaceuticals, etc.) within a urine sample (i.e.,within the urine on the fluid sensing region 128A), the sensor 130B isconfigured to measure protein content in the urine, the sensor 130C is acolor detector (e.g., an optical sensor), the sensor 130D is a pressuresensor (i.e., the fluid sensing region 128D may include both a pressuresensor 130D and the secondary display 150), sensor 130E is a bloodalcohol content sensor, sensor 130F is a sugar (e.g., glucose) sensor,sensor 130G is a temperature sensor, and the sensor 130H is a biosensorconfigured to determine the presence of one or more bacteria within theurine. The artisan will appreciate that this delineation of theparticular sensors 130A-130H is merely exemplary and is not intended tobe independently limiting. Indeed, any sensor (e.g., an optical sensor,a potentiometric biosensor, an amperometric biosensor, a nanosensor(such as carbon nanotube sensor systems and wireless grapheme nanosensorsystems), an olfactory sensor, a spectroscopic sensor, an array sensor(e.g., a laser grid refraction array measuring optical gradient based onmolecular structure of the urine), etc., whether now known orsubsequently developed, which can be used to sense a characteristic in aurine sample, may be employed in the smart urinal 100.

Focus is now directed to FIG. 5. This figure schematically illustratesthe investigating part 124 of the analysis portal 120, which, as notedabove, is communicatively coupled to the sensing part 122 (e.g., to thesensors 130A-130H). The investigating part 124, in this example, isconfigured to evaluate the readings obtained by the one or more sensors130A-130H, and may communicate with the user and others in response tosaid evaluation.

The example investigating part 124 includes an investigative computer200. The investigative computer 200 includes a processor 202communicatively coupled to a network interface 204 and memory 206.Processor 202 represents one or more digital processors. In some exampleembodiments, the processor 202 may be configured through particularlyconfigured hardware, such as an application specific integrated circuit(ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), etc., and/or throughexecution of software to perform functions in accordance with thedisclosure herein. Network interface 204 may be implemented as one orboth of a wired network interface and a wireless network (e.g., Wi-Fi,Internet, Bluetooth, etc.) interface, as is known in the art. Memory 206represents one or more of volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and non-volatilememory (e.g., ROM, FLASH, magnetic media, optical media, etc.). Althoughshown within the investigative computer 200, memory 206 may be, at leastin part, implemented as network storage that is external to the analysisportal 120 and accessed via network interface 204.

Software 208 may be stored in a transitory or non-transitory portion ofthe memory 206. Software 208 includes machine readable instructions thatare executed by processor 202 to perform the functionality of theinvestigating part 124 as described herein. In the illustrated example,the software 208 contains a health screener 210, an authenticator 213, aprimary content generator 214A, a secondary content generator 214B, arewards appraiser 216, a recommendation generator 218, a wash-downmodule 220, a urinal olfaction module 222, an alert generator 224, and aglobal positioning system 225, each of which are described in moredetail below.

The health screener 210 may be configured to evaluate the readingsobtained from the sensors 130. Specifically, the health screener 210 mayhave a module 212 (e.g., code to implement one or more routines)associated with each of the sensors 130. For instance, in theillustrated embodiment, since the sensors 130A-130H are configured torespectively sense and/or detect drugs, proteins, color, pressure, bloodalcohol content, sugars, temperature, and bacteria of or within theurine, the health screener 210 may include a drugs module 212A, aprotein module 212B, a color module 212C, a pressure module 212D, ablood alcohol content module 212E, a sugars module 212F, a temperaturemodule 212G, and a bacteria module 212H. Each module 212 may beconfigured to evaluate the particular reading obtained by the associatedsensor 130 to determine whether the characteristic being evaluated isnormal or is cause for alarm. For example, one or more of the modules212 may, in embodiments, include or have access to memory (e.g., memory206) containing average (i.e., normal) values for the particularcharacteristic being evaluated. For instance, and as discussed above,sugars are discharged in a healthy individual's urine at no more than 50mg/dl. The sugars module 212F associated with the sugar sensor 130F maytherefore have this threshold value 50 mg/dl stored thereon or otherwiseaccessible thereto, so that when the urine of a user is tested, thesugars module 210F of the investigating part 124 can evaluate whetherthe sugar level thereof is normal or is a cause for alarm. For example,if the sugar sensor 130F determines that the quantity of sugars in theurine sample is 25 mg/dl, the sugars module 210F may determine that theurine of the user does not contain excessive sugars. Alternately, if thesugar sensor 130F determines that the quantity of sugars in the urinesample is 300 mg/dl, the sugars module 210F may determine that theuser's urine contains excessive sugar. As another example, where thedrugs module 212A is intended to determine the presence of marijuana inthe urine, the drug module 212A may have access to information outliningthat a non-zero value for THC-COOH, a non-psychoactive marijuanametabolite, indicates that the user recently used marijuana. And so on.As discussed herein, the investigating part 124 may take action based onthe evaluation of the one or more readings obtained from the sensors130.

The software 208 may include an authenticator 213. The authenticator 213may, in embodiments, communicate with a mobile computer of a user(discussed further below) to verify the identity of the user. Forinstance, and as discussed below, a user may download a mobileapplication to allow him to interact with the smart urinal 100. Duringthe installation process, a unique number associated with the user'smobile computer (e.g., an Android ID, a Google Advertising ID, aUniversal Device ID, etc.) may be retrieved and stored (e.g., in cloudstorage 292, discussed below). When the proximity detector 134 (seeFIG. 1) indicates that a user is proximate (e.g., within 1-24 inches of)the urinal 100, the authenticator 213 may use the network interface 204to interact with the user's mobile computer (e.g., over a Bluetooth orother network) to determine the device ID of the user's mobile computer.The authenticator 213 may thereafter match the device ID obtained whenthe user is at the urinal 100 with the device ID retrieved during themobile application installation, and thereby, identify and authenticatethe user. Alternately or in addition, in some embodiments, the smarturinal 100 may include a biometric sensor 152 (see FIG. 1, e.g., adevice that scans the iris, fingerprints, facial features, handwriting,etc.) of the user. In these embodiments, the user may provide abiometric sample upon installation of the mobile application, and theauthenticator 213 may compare and match same to the sample provided bythe user at the urinal 100 to authenticate the identity of the user.

The primary content generator 214A may generate content (e.g., content116C, see FIG. 1) for display on the primary display 116. The primarydisplay content 116C may be general content or individualized (i.e.,personalized) content. General content, as used herein, may include TVchannels, sports games, movies, non-targeted advertisements, etc.Individualized content, as used herein, may include a personalizedmessage, targeted advertising, or any other content that is tailored tothe particular user using the urinal 100. In an embodiment, when theurinal 100 is not in use, the content 116C displayed on the primarydisplay 116 may be general content. When a user walks up the urinal 100and his identity is confirmed using the authenticator 213, the primarycontent generator 214A may cause the primary display 116 to displaycontent 116C that is personalized to that user. For instance, where theuser provides his name as part of the installation of the mobileapplication to interact with the urinal 100 (discussed further below),upon identification of the user at the urinal 100 via the authenticator213, the primary content generator 214A may cause the primary display116 to display an individualized message that includes the name of theuser. Alternately or in addition, during installation of the mobileapplication, the user may pick topics that are of interest to the user,and the primary display 116 may display personalized content (e.g.,targeted advertisements, movie trailers, etc.) in line with the user'spreferences. In some embodiments, the personalized content may bedynamic (e.g., where the user used a search engine on the mobile deviceto search for listings for a new vehicle within the last hour, theprimary content generator 214, upon communication of the mobile devicewith the software 208, may display advertisements for new vehicles). Theprimary display 116 may thus, in embodiments, provide the user apersonalized and immersive experience at the urinal 100.

The secondary content generator 214B may generate content 154 (seeFIG. 1) for display on the secondary display 150. For example, in someembodiments, the secondary content generator 214B may cause content 154(specifically, target indicia as shown in FIG. 1) to be generated anddisplayed on the secondary display 150 when the proximity sensor 134indicates that a user is about to use the urinal 100. Alternately, thesecondary content generator 214B may cause content 154 to be displayedon the secondary display 150 at all times. The target indicia 154 mayencourage the user to void his urine directly onto the fluid sensingregion 128D, so that: (a) the pressure at which the urine is voided maybe measured by the pressure sensor 130D; and (b) at least a portion ofthe urine volume reaches the other sensors 130A-130C and 130E-130Hbefore the urine flows out the drain 110. While the target indicia 154shown in FIG. 1 includes concentric circles, the artisan will appreciatethat any other indicia may likewise be provided (e.g., the secondarycontent generator 214B may cause the secondary display 150 to displaythe words “aim here”; or, for instance, flying targets (as in skeetshooting) may appear on the secondary display 150 to encourage the userto void his urine directly onto the fluid sensing region 128D). In someembodiments, the secondary content generator 214B (and/or the primarycontent generator 214A) may allow the user to interact with the smarturinal 100 in real-time; for example, the content 154 (or the content116C) may change colors (e.g., change from blue to green) as the uservoids his urine on the fluid sensing region 128D. Or, for instance,virtual bowling pins displayed on the secondary display 150 may appearto fall as the user voids his urine on same.

Typically, because of the inconvenience and time commitment, consumersare wary of taking polls. As noted above, however, many members in agiven community will be required to use a urinal several times a day.Based on this realization, in some embodiments, the content 154displayed by the secondary content generator 214B on the secondarydisplay 150 may include one or more polls. For example, the secondarycontent generator 214B may display the names of two or more movies andask the user to indicate the movie he is more likely to see by voidinghis urine on same. Or, for example, the secondary content generator 214Bmay display the names and/or images of two or more retail items and askthe user to indicate the item he likes less by voiding his urine onsame. This polling data may be stored in the cloud (discussed below) andmay, in embodiments, be sold to interested parties. Particularly wheremany (e.g., ten, hundred, thousand, etc.) smart urinals are installed ina region (e.g., in a country, in a continent, etc.), the polling datamay indicate societal trends and be an impetus for change (e.g., ifninety percent of smart urinal users indicate that they do not like aparticular policy implemented by a politician, the politician may changehis stance on the policy based on the polling results). In someembodiments, the polling questions may instead be displayed on theprimary display 116, and the investigative computer 200 may determinethe user's response in other ways (e.g., the user may look at an option,and eye tracking software associated with the urinal 100 may track theuser's eyes to determine the intended response).

In some embodiments, the rewards appraiser 216 may cause the user to begiven a reward based on the urinalysis. For example, where the pressuresensor 130D indicates that the user voided his urine on (or primarilyon) the fluid sensing region 128D, the rewards appraiser 216 may rewardthe user. Or, for instance, the rewards appraiser 216 may offer the usera reward where the urinalysis indicates that the user is makinghealthful choices (e.g., where the urinalysis indicates that the user'ssugar level is low). As discussed in more detail below, the rewards maybe communicated by the rewards appraiser 216 to the mobile computer ofthe user for redemption.

The reward may be associated with the particular establishment withinwhich the urinal 100 is located. For instance, where the smart urinal100 is located within a bar, the reward may be a free (or a discounted)drink. Or, for example, where the smart urinal 100 is located within agym, the reward may be a free “flex dollar.” In some embodiments, to beawarded a reward, the user may be required to take multiple trips to theurinal 100. For example, in an embodiment, the user may be required touse the urinal 100 in a bar three times (or a different number of times)during a given time period (e.g., one night) to be able to receive areward (e.g., a discounted drink). As will be appreciated, such mayencourage the user to stay at the bar longer than he had originallyintended, and thereby, increase the revenues of the bar (or otherestablishment) within which the urinal 100 is located.

In some embodiments, the user may be allowed to use the urinal 100 toplay games of skill and/or games of chance, and the reward awarded bythe reward appraiser 216 may be associated with such game(s). Forexample, the urinal 100 may be situated within a casino, and the contentdisplayed on the secondary display 150 (and/or the primary display 116)may include video games (e.g., slots, poker, Candy Crush, etc.). Thus,in some embodiments, the user may be allowed to gamble while he isurinating at the urinal 100. The rewards appraiser 216 may wirelesslycommunicate monies won by the user to the mobile computer of the user(e.g., via a digital wallet service).

In some embodiments, the investigative computer 200 may include arecommendation generator 218. The recommendation generator 218 maygenerate a personalized recommendation for the user based on theevaluation conducted by the health screener 210, and may take intoaccount the establishment within which the urinal 100 is located. Forexample, where the urinal 100 is located within a bar and the healthscreener 210 indicates that the user's blood alcohol level is low, therecommendation generator 218 may recommend that the user enjoy analcoholic beverage. Or, for instance, where the urinal 100 is locatedwithin a gym and the health screener 210 indicates that the user isdehydrated, the recommendation generator 218 may recommend that the userdrink some water (and/or visit a physician). In embodiments, therecommendation generator 218 may be in communication with the primarycontent generator 214A and cause the recommendation to be displayed onthe primary display 116. Alternately, or in addition, the recommendationmay be transmitted by the recommendation generator 218 to the user'smobile computer.

The wash down module 220 may be configured to automatically flush theurinal 100 where test readings taken by the sensors 130A-130H indicatethat the sensors 130 are unclean (e.g., where one or more sensors have aprior user's urine disposed thereon such that they are unable to provideaccurate readings). More specifically, after one user uses the urinal100, the automatic flushing mechanism of the urinal 100 mayautomatically flush the urinal 100. In the illustrated embodiment, atthis point, one or more of the sensors 130A-130H may take test readings,which may be evaluated by the wash down module 220. If the sensors130A-130H are suitably clean, the test readings may so indicate (e.g.,the sugar sensor 130F may not sense any sugars because the prior user'surine has been washed off the sensor 130F via the automatic flushing).Where, however, the test readings indicate that one or more of thesensors 130A-130H are dirty, the wash down module 220 may cause theurinal 100 to be flushed again (e.g., where the sugar sensor 130F givesa non-zero reading after the urinal 100 has been flushed and beforeanother user uses the urinal 100, the wash down module 220 may ascertainthat remnants of the prior user's urine remain on the sugar sensor 130Fand activate the flushing mechanism). In some embodiments, a vessel 156containing a sanitation agent may further be provided (e.g., in the topzone A, the middle zone B, or elsewhere). In these embodiments, the washdown module 220 may also cause sanitation agent to be dispensed into theurinal 100 when the test readings indicate that one or more of thesensors 130 are unsuitably dirty.

The skilled artisan understands that various machine olfactory sensors(e.g., conductive polymer sensors, tin-oxide gas sensors, quartz-crystalmicro-balance sensors, etc.) are currently available, and that muchresearch is underway to advance the capabilities of these sensors. Theurinal olfaction module 222 may include an olfactory sensor to furtherfacilitate cleanliness of the urinal 100. Automatic flushing mechanismsof urinals of the prior art, from time to time, fail to detect a user,and consequently, fail to flush the urinal after it has been used.Moreover, these mechanisms do not ensure that all the urine dispensedwithin the urinal is actually cleaned off and flushed out of the urinalupon flushing. Resultantly, bad odors may permeate throughout therestroom within which the prior art urinals are located. The urinalolfaction module 222 may solve this problem. Specifically, the urinalolfaction module 222 may include an olfactory sensor (whether now knownor subsequently developed) which may activate the automatic flushingmechanism when it determines that bad odors are emanating from theurinal 100. In some embodiments, the olfaction module 222 may furthercause an antibacterial agent (e.g., Lysol® stored in the vessel 156)and/or fragrance to be dispensed within and around the urinal 100 basedupon a determination that bad odors are emanating from the urinal 100.In embodiments, instead of or in addition to a fragrance that masks thebad odor(s), the agent caused to be dispensed by the olfaction module222 upon detection of the bad odor(s) by the olfactory sensor may serveto neutralize (e.g., by chemical alteration of the urine) the badodor(s). In some embodiments, the olfactory sensor may be remote fromthe urinal 100 and may be configured to communicate with theinvestigative computer 200 over a network.

The alert generator 224 of the software 208 may generate an alert basedon the urinalysis of a user. For example, if the urinalysis indicatesthat the user's blood alcohol levels are dangerously high, the alertgenerator 224 may generate an alert. The alert may be auditory, visual,or other type of alert, and may be communicated in any number of ways.For example, in an embodiment, the alert generator 224 may display analert message on the primary display 116 and also transmit the alertmessage to the mobile device of the user. In some embodiments, the alertmessage may also be communicated to third parties. For instance, thealert message may be communicated to the establishment within which theurinal 100 is located.

The analysis portal 120 may, in embodiments, be portable. That is, theentire analysis portal 120 may, in embodiments, be transferred from oneurinal at one location to another urinal at the same or a differentlocation. As discussed above, the sensing part 122 of the analysisportal 120 may also, in embodiments, be removed from the analysis portal120 and be communicatively coupled to the investigating part 124 of adifferent analysis portal 120. The global positioning system 225 mayindicate a current location of the analysis portal 120 (e.g., of thesensing part 122 or the investigating part 124 thereof).

The investigative computer 200 may be communicatively coupled to acomputer of the establishment (e.g., an entity 240, see FIG. 5) withwhich the urinal 100 is associated. While certain commercialestablishments (e.g., bars and gyms) are disclosed as examples above,the application of the urinal 100 is not so limited. Rather, theestablishment (or “entity”) may be any establishment (e.g., a private orpublic school, a non-profit or other hospital, a restaurant, an officebuilding, a prison, an assisted living facility, etc.) within whichurinals may be located. In embodiments, the smart urinal 100 may also besituated at a private residence. Thus the terms “establishment” and“entity,” as used herein, encompass any structure within which urinalsare or can be located.

For the purposes of illustration, consider that the entity 240 is a barhaving a computer 242 (e.g., a computer linked to the cash register).The entity computer 242 may have a digital processor 244, which may becoupled to a scanner 246, a networking device 248, and memory 250. Thescanner 246 may be, for example, a barcode (e.g., a one dimensional code128 barcode or a two dimensional QR code) scanner. The networking device248 may be configured to allow the entity computer 242 to communicateover wired and/or wireless networks; for instance, as shown in FIG. 5,the investigative computer memory 206 may have an ApplicationProgramming Interface (API) 252A, and the networking device 248 of theentity computer 242 may allow the investigative computer 200 of thesmart urinal 100 to communicate with the entity computer 242 over afirst network 252B (e.g., a Wi-Fi, Internet, Bluetooth, or other wiredor wireless network) via the API 252A. The memory 250 may be one or moreof volatile memory (e.g., RAM) and non-volatile memory (e.g., ROM,FLASH, magnetic media, optical media, network memory, etc.). In anembodiment, a transitory and/or non-transitory memory 250 of the entitycomputer 242 may contain entity software 254.

The entity software 254 may include machine readable instructions thatare executed by processor 244 to perform the functionality of the entitycomputer 242 as described herein. The entity 240 may, for example,download (e.g., over the web, via a flash drive, CD, or other means) theentity software 254 upon installation of the smart urinal 100 at theentity 240.

In an embodiment, the entity software 254 may include a rewards redeemer256 and a third party communicator 258. The rewards redeemer 256 may, inconjunction with the rewards appraiser 216 of the investigative computer200, allow a user to redeem at the entity 240 a reward awarded to theuser. For example, where the rewards appraiser 216 awards the user afree beer based on the urinalysis, the investigative computer 200 maytransmit to the user's mobile computer (discussed further below) a code(e.g., QR code 260, see FIG. 6); the user may have the entity 240 scanthis code 260 using the scanner 246, and the rewards redeemer 256 mayinform the entity 240 that the code 260 translates to a free beer.

The third party communicator 258 may communicate with the alertgenerator 224, and based on this communication, may contact a thirdparty. For example, where the alert generator 224 generates an alertbecause the user's blood alcohol levels are dangerously high, the thirdparty communicator 258 may cause a cab to be called for that user. Or,for example, where the establishment is a hospital and the urinalysisindicates an alert condition (e.g., a dangerously high blood pressure),the third party communicator 258 may automatically page a physician. Insome embodiments, the functionality of the third party communicator 258may be incorporated in the alert generator 224 (i.e., in someembodiments, the alert generator 224 may directly communicate with athird party without going through the entity computer 242).

The smart urinal 100, and specifically the investigative computer 200thereof, may further communicate with the mobile computer of a user 270(see FIG. 5). For instance, the investigative computer 200 maycommunicate with a mobile computer 272 of the user 270 over a secondnetwork 274B. The second network 274B may preferably be a wirelessnetwork (e.g., a Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, or other network). In one embodiment,the first network 252B may be a wireless internet network (e.g., Wi-Fi)and the second network 274B may be a Bluetooth or a near fieldcommunication network. In another embodiment, the first network 252B andthe second network 274B may be the same network.

The mobile computer 272 may be, for example, a smart phone (see FIG. 6),a laptop, a PDA, or any other portable computer whether now known orsubsequently developed associated with the user 270. It is envisionedthat the user may carry the mobile computer 272 on his person. In anembodiment, the mobile computer 272 may include a processor 276, whichmay be in data communication with a networking device 278, aninput/output device 280, and memory 282. The processor 272 may be one ormore digital processors. The networking device 278 may be configured toallow the mobile computer 272 to communicate with the smart urinal 100and other computerized devices over wireless (or wired) networks. Forinstance, and as shown in FIG. 5, the investigative computer software208 may have API 274A, and the networking device 278 of the mobilecomputer 272 may allow the mobile computer 272 to communicate over thesecond network 274B (e.g., a Wi-Fi, Internet, Bluetooth, or other wiredor wireless network) with the investigative computer 200 via the API274A.

In some embodiments, to interact with the urinal 100 via the mobilecomputer 272, the user 270 may download in the memory 282 a mobileapplication 284. The mobile application 284 may include machine readableinstructions that are executed by the mobile computer processor 276 toperform the functionality of the mobile computer 272 as describedherein.

In an embodiment, the mobile application 284 may include a rewardsmanager 286, a health manager 288, and an alert manager 290. The rewardsmanager 286 may allow the user 270 to keep track of and manage the oneor more rewards that are awarded to the user 270 by the rewardsappraiser 216. For example, and as discussed above, the rewardsappraiser 216 may award the user a free beer based on the urinalysis,and the investigative computer 200 may transmit the QR code 260 to theuser's mobile computer 272 to allow the user 270 to redeem same. Theuser 270 may use the rewards manager 286 to pull up the QR code 260 (andto view and manage other rewards awarded by the rewards appraiser 216)on his mobile computer 272 for redemption.

The health manager 288 may, in embodiments, store and allow the user 270to access the results of urinalysis conducted at any smart urinal 100.For example, the health manager 288 may store the results from thehealth screeners 210 of various urinals 100 used by the user 270. Theseresults may be time and date stamped, and may afford the user 270 theopportunity to monitor his health on a regular basis. In someembodiments, particularly where such local storage of medical data of anindividual violates applicable laws (e.g., HIPAA), the health manager288 may be omitted and the urinalysis results may instead be storedsecurely and remotely (e.g., on the cloud, discussed further below).

In some embodiments, the smart urinal alert generator 224 may generatean alert and communicate same to the mobile computer 272. The alertmanager 290 may allow the user 270 to customize the way in which alertsare communicated from the mobile computer 272 to the user 270. Forinstance, where the user 270 is a diabetic, the user 270 may configurethe alert manager 290 such that the mobile computer 272 beeps (and/orvibrates) each time the urinalysis indicates the user's sugar levels areabove some user-defined threshold. Alternately, where the user 270 knowsthat he has urinary tract infection, for example, he may configure thealert manager 290 such that alerts generated by the alert generator 224regarding a urinary tract infection are automatically discarded for agiven user-defined or other time period.

In embodiments, the urinalysis results of the user 270 may be encryptedand stored on secure network storage. For example, the urinalysisresults of the user 270 may be encrypted and stored on the “cloud” 292.The investigative computer 200 may have a cloud API 293 which may allowthe urinal 100 to securely communicate with the cloud 292. As can beseen, the cloud (or other secure network storage) 292 may include aplurality of records 300A-300N associated with the user 270. And thecloud storage may likewise include records of other users of the urinal100.

FIG. 7 shows the example record 300A of the user 270 stored in the cloud292. The record 300A may contain a plurality of fields 302. For example,in an embodiment, the record 300A may include a field 304 for the nameof the user 270, a field 306 for the device identification number of themobile computer 272 associated with the user 270, the urinalysis results308 compiled by the health screener 210, the date and time 310 at whichthe urine with which the particular results 308 are associated wasvoided, the name, city, and geospatial coordinates 312 of the entity 240within which the urinal 100 is located, rewards 314, the user'sbiometric sample 316, any alert 318 generated by the alert generator224, any recommendation 320 generated by the recommendation generator218, etc. The user 270 may provide at least some of this informationwhen he downloads and installs the mobile application 284 (e.g., theuser 270 may provide his name 304 (John in this example) uponinstallation of the mobile application 284). The mobile application 284may likewise retrieve the device identification number (e.g., an AndroidID, a Google Advertising ID, a Universal Device ID, etc.) of theparticular mobile device 272 associated with the user 270 uponinstallation, and may further require the user 270 to submit a biometricsample (fingerprint in this example) so that subsequent biometricsamples provided by the user 270 at the urinal 100 may be comparedagainst the initial sample. Some fields in the user record 300A (e.g.,the health screener results 308) may be generated once the urinalysis iscomplete. When the user record 300A is completed, it may be securelystored in the cloud 292.

The FIG. 7 record 300A shows, for example, that a user 304 named John,having a device Id 306 of 123456, voided his urine at a urinal inOverland Park, Kans. on Nov. 1, 2016 at 2:00 pm. The record 300A alsoindicates that the user's health screener results 308 indicate highsugar levels, and that an alert 318 and a recommendation 320 about samewas conveyed to the user 270. The record 300A further shows that theuser 270 has two free beers in rewards at the entity 240. In someembodiments, for ease of record keeping and maintenance, in addition toa device ID 306 that is associated with each unique mobile computer 272,a unique numeric or alphanumeric identification number may be associatedwith each entity 240 and with each smart urinal 100. Further, in someembodiments, the user records (e.g., user record 300A) may contain onlyevent specific information and the invariable information associatedwith the user (e.g., his name 304, device identification number 306,etc.) may be stored on the cloud 292 in a separate profile associatedwith the user 270.

In some embodiments, in generating an alert 318 and/or a recommendation320, the alert generator 224 and the recommendation generator 218 of theinvestigative computer 200 may respectively take into account the user'shistorical records 300A-300N. For example, the alert generator 224 maynot generate an alert 318 even where the urinalysis of the user 270indicates that the user 270 has a sexually transmitted disease, wherethe user records further indicate that the user 270 has recently beenalerted about same a plurality of times. In some embodiments, the alerts318 communicated to the mobile device 272 may include “read-receipt”functionality so that the software 208 can check whether the alerts 318are timely viewed by the user 270; if they are not, the alert generator224 may resend same and may cause the mobile device to ring (and/orvibrate). The artisan will appreciate that the communications (e.g.,alerts 318, recommendations 320, rewards 314, etc., may be communicatedfrom the investigative computer 200 to the mobile device 272 in anysuitable manner (e.g., over Bluetooth, via text, over e-mail, overvoicemail, etc.).

FIG. 8 shows an example method 400 of using the smart urinal 100,according to an embodiment. The method 400 may begin at step 402. Atstep 404, the entity 240, having the entity computer 242, may installone or more smart urinals 100 (e.g., in a restroom). Alternately, theentity 240 may convert its prior art urinal(s) to the smart urinal(s)(e.g., by installing the analysis portal 120 in the prior art urinals).While the entity 240 in this example is a bar (i.e., David's Bar, seeFIG. 7), the artisan will understand that the entity 240 may be a gym,hospital, group home, private residence, or any other establishment orlocation where urinal(s) may be found. At step 406, the entity 240 maydownload and install the entity software 254 onto the entity computer242. In embodiments, the entity 240 may also download and install theentity software 254 prior to installation of the smart urinal 100 at theentity 240.

At step 408, the user 270 may download and install on his mobilecomputer 272 the mobile application 284. In so doing, the user 270 mayprovide and/or the application 284 may otherwise ascertain certainidentifying information, such as the name 304 of the user 270, theidentification number 306 of the mobile device 272 associated with theuser 270, the biometric sample 316 against which subsequent biometricsamples provided by the user 270 are to be compared, etc. The artisanwill understand that the user 270 may download and install the mobileapplication 284 on his mobile computer 272 before the particular entity240 installs the smart urinal 100.

At step 410, the user 270 may enter the entity 240. At step 412, theuser 270 may feel the urge to urinate, and may approach the urinal 100.

At step 414, when the user 270 is proximate the urinal 100, theinvestigative computer 200 of the urinal 100 may authenticate the user270. For example, when the user 270 is within a few (e.g., 1-24) inchesof the proximity detector 134, the authenticator 213 of the urinal 100may use the network interface 204 to wirelessly communicate with themobile computer 272 of the user 270. The authenticator 213 may retrievethe identification number 306 of the mobile device 272, and therebydetermine that the mobile device 272 is associated with the user 270(i.e., with John in this example). Alternately, in embodiments where theurinal 100 includes a biometric sensor 152 (see FIG. 1), the user 270may provide his biometric sample (e.g., a fingerprint scan) at theurinal 100 and the authenticator 213 may authenticate the user 270 byensuring that the biometric sample the user 270 provided duringinstallation of the mobile application 284 matches the sample the user270 now provided at the urinal 100.

At step 416, the primary content generator 214A and the secondarycontent generator 214B may cause primary display content 116C andsecondary display content 154 to be displayed on the primary display 116and the secondary display 150, respectively. As discussed above, theprimary display content 116C and/or the secondary display content 154may be personalized (and at least generalized content may be displayedon the primary display 116 and/or the secondary display 150 before theuser is proximate the urinal 100). For instance, and as shown in FIG. 1,the primary content generator 214A may display the name 304 (i.e., Johnin this example) of the user 270 on the primary display 116, along witha message informing John that he can void his urine on the target andobtain a free drink (see FIG. 1). The secondary content generator 214Bmay, in this example, generate target indicia on the secondary display150 to encourage the user 270 to void his urine directly onto theanalysis portal 120 (and particularly, on the sensor 130D thereof).

At step 418, the user 270 may void his urine on the analysis portal 120,and more specifically, on the upper surface 126U of the sensing part122. For example, the user 270 may void his urine directly on the fluidsensing region 128D. The urine may thus flow from the fluid sensingregion 128D to the other fluid sensing regions 128A-C and 128D-H. Atstep 420, and as discussed above, the sensors 130A-130H may take variousmeasurements 421 associated with the urine (e.g., sensor 130D maydetermine the pressure at which the urine is voided, sensor 130F maydetermine the sugar content of the urine, sensor 130G may determine thetemperature of the urine, etc.). At step 422, the health screener 210 ofthe investigative computer software 208 may analyze these readings fromthe sensors 130A-130H to determine various characteristics 423 of theurine of the user (e.g., the drugs module 212A may evaluate the readingsfrom the drug sensor 130A to determine if the user 270 has taken drugs,the sugars module 212F may evaluate the readings from the sugar sensor130F to determine whether the user's urine contains normal or abnormalsugar levels, etc.).

At step 424, the recommendation generator 218 may determine whether theurinalysis indicates that a recommendation (e.g., recommendation 320,see FIG. 7) is to be generated for the user 270. If so, at step 426, therecommendation generator 218 may communicate the recommendation 320 tothe user 270. For example, the recommendation generator 218 may transmitthe recommendation 320 to the mobile device 272; alternately or inaddition, particularly where the recommendation is not personal innature, the recommendation generator 218 may cause the recommendation320 to be displayed on the primary display 116 (or another display) atstep 426. The memory 206 may include a database storing recommendationsfor a plurality of scenarios and further outline whether or not therecommendation is to be publically displayed (e.g., any recommendationsuggesting the user 270 consult a physician may be considered personaland may be transmitted to the mobile device 272 but may not be displayedon the primary display 116). In embodiments, and as discussed above,when determining whether to generate a recommendation, therecommendation generator 218 may take into account the historicalrecords of the user 270 stored on the cloud 292. If the recommendationgenerator 218 determines that no recommendation is to be generated, themethod 400 may move from step 424 directly to step 428.

At step 428, the alert generator 224 may determine whether results ofthe urinalysis are cause for alarm such that an alert notification(e.g., alert notification 318, see FIG. 7) needs to be communicated tothe user 270. If so, at step 430, the alert generator 224 maycommunicate an alert to the user 270. As discussed immediately above forthe recommendation 320, the alert 318, if generated, may be communicatedto the user 270 via his mobile device 272 and/or may be displayed on theprimary display 116. In embodiments, when determining whether togenerate an alert, the alert generator 224 may take into account thehistorical records of the user 270 stored on the cloud 292. If the alertgenerator 224 determines that no alert is to be generated, the method400 may move from step 428 directly to step 432.

At step 432, the rewards appraiser 216 may determine if the urinalysisindicates that the user 270 is entitled to a reward. If so, at step 434,the rewards appraiser 216 may cause the QR code 260 (FIG. 6) associatedwith the reward to be wirelessly transmitted to the mobile computer 272.In some embodiments, one or more of the tests conducted during theurinalysis may be relatively time-consuming (e.g., may take a fewminutes or even an hour or more to complete); in these embodiments, therewards appraiser 216 may evaluate whether a reward is to be given tothe user 270 before it completes the entire urinalysis, and thecompleted urinalysis results may be stored in the cloud storage 292 asdiscussed below. At step 436, or at some point thereafter, the entity240 may use the scanner 246 of the entity computer 242 to scan the QRcode 260 and allow the user 270 to redeem the reward. The method 400 maymove to step 438. Alternately, if the rewards appraiser 216 determinesthat the user 270 is not entitled to an award at step 432, the method400 may move from step 432 directly to step 438.

At step 438, the proximity detector 134 (FIG. 1) may indicate that theuser 270 has finished urinating and is no longer proximate the urinal100. At step 440, the wash-down module 220 may take test readings todetermine whether the sensors 130A-130H are suitably clean. If not, thewash-down module 220 may activate the flushing mechanism at step 442,and continue to do so until the test readings from the sensors 130A-130Hindicate that they are ready for use. Alternately, if the wash-downmodule 220 determines at step 440 that the sensors 130A-130H aresuitably clean, the method 400 may move from step 440 to step 444. Asdiscussed above, the wash-down module 220 may, in embodiments, causesanitation agent stored in the vessel 156 to be dispensed into theurinal 100 during the wash-down mode. In embodiments where the smarturinal 100 automatically flushes when the proximity detector 134indicates that the user 270 is no longer proximate the urinal 100, thewash-down module 220 may take test readings after the initial automaticflushing is effectuated.

At step 444, the urinal olfaction module 222, using an olfactory sensor,may ascertain whether bad odors are permeating from the urinal 100. Ifso, at step 446, the urinal olfaction module 222 may dispense afragrance in and/or around the urinal 100. The fragrance may be storedin the vessel 156 and may be chosen so that it does not materiallyimpact the readings from the sensors 130A-130H. Alternately, if theurinal olfaction module 222 determines that no bad odors are permeatingfrom the urinal 100, the method may move from step 444 to step 448.

At step 448, the fields (e.g., the fields 302 in the user record 300A)may be filled out by the investigative computer 200, and the user record300A may be securely stored on the cloud storage 292. The user record300A stored on the cloud 292 may be encrypted, password-protected,and/or otherwise secured such that it is only accessible to authorizedpersonnel and computing devices. In embodiments, the user record 300A,or portions thereof, may also be transmitted to the mobile computingdevice 272. The method 400 may then end at step 450.

In certain applications, it may be desirable to store a portion of aurine sample being tested by the portal 120 for subsequent analysisand/or verification. For example, as illustrated by a recent scandal atthe Olympics in Russia, and particularly where a urine test is conductedas a precondition, e.g., to employment, to a sports tournament, etc.,the urinalysis is susceptible to being doctored. In some embodiments,therefore, a portion of the urine voided by a user may be tested by theanalysis portal 120, and the remainder (or at least a portion thereof)may be stored (e.g., in a watertight vial) that can be retrieved byauthorized personnel. The sample of the urine in the vial may thereforebe retested (e.g., in a lab) if desired. The vial may be stamped withthe user's name and other pertinent information (e.g., date, time,etc.). In embodiments, the analysis portal 120 may be configured to pusha predetermined volume of urine directly into a vial for storage, and alockable housing may be associated with the urinal body for storage ofthe vials.

The analysis portal 120, the primary display 116, and the othercomponents may be powered by standard AC power (e.g., 110V), bybatteries, and/or other means (e.g., inductively).

In some embodiments, more than one analysis portal 120 may be associatedwith the urinal. For example, one analysis portal 120 may be situatedwithin the urinal 100 as shown in FIG. 1, and one or more analysisportal(s) 120 may be situated on a back side of the urinal 100 orelsewhere; in these embodiments, the urinal 100 may include a movingmechanism (e.g., a conveyer belt or other system) which may rotate theanalysis portals 120 for use (e.g., each analysis portal 120 may berotated out after it is used by ten, twenty, or some other predefinednumber of users).

Users may be wary of using urinals that have a camera associatedtherewith. The smart urinal 100, in embodiments, may be devoid of anycameras, and the appearance of the urinal 100 may be inviting andnon-threatening. That is, in embodiments, users (e.g., the user 270) mayreadily appreciate that the urinal 100 is a relatively non-invasivenovelty urinal that also includes additional functionality. Inembodiments, the mobile application 284 may include a competition mode,and a group of users (e.g., friends at a bar) may compete with eachother to obtain rewards based on their respective urinalysis.

In the prior art, employers, schools, and others may, from time to time,require that a user travel to a urinalysis lab to have his urine tested(e.g., for drugs). These tests, as noted above, may be inconvenient, andtheir collective cost, particularly over longer time spans (e.g., fiveyears, ten years), may be exorbitant. Entities may therefore purchaseand install the smart urinals 100 and thereby obviate the need to sendusers to labs for urinalysis; for example, a sports team may install thesmart urinals 100 at its gym and use same for decades to ensure that noteam member is drunk or taking drugs. Further, advertisements (and otherprogramming) that may be displayed via the smart urinal 100 (e.g., onthe primary display 116) may allow an establishment to readily recoupthe costs associated with purchasing and installing these urinals 100.

In some embodiments, the user 270 may be charged a fee to download anduse the mobile application 272 to interact with the urinal 100.Alternately or in addition, the user 270 may be charged a nominal feeeach time his urine is evaluated by the smart urinal 100. Someestablishments may allow users to use the smart urinal 100 free ofcharge to garner customer goodwill. While FIG. 5 shows a solitaryinvestigative computer 200 in communication with the entity computer242, the artisan will readily appreciate that in embodiments, aplurality of smart urinal investigative computers 200 may be in datacommunication with the entity computer 242. Further, in embodiments, theinvestigative computers 200 of a plurality of smart urinals 100 may benetworked together such that an owner or operator may make globalchanges to the functionality of the urinals 100 (e.g., an owner oroperator may modify the content being displayed on the various urinals100 simultaneously).

As noted above, structural changes may be made to conventional prior arturinals to convert same to smart urinals (e.g., channels may be etchedin the urinal body 102 to locate sensors therein, a portion of a priorart urinal body 102 may be cutout to allow for the situation of theanalysis portal 120 therein, etc.). Such retrofitting, referred toherein as permanent retrofitting, however, may not be required in allembodiments. Rather, in some embodiments, a prior art urinal may betemporarily converted to a smart urinal using a personal retrofittingdevice. Specifically, and as discussed above, the analysis portal 120may, in embodiments, have a fluid accepting portion 120 that isconfigured to contact the urine of a user directly to functionallyinteract therewith. In other embodiments, however, the analysis portal120 may be configured to functionally interact with fluids (e.g., theurine of a user) remotely. For instance, in embodiments, at least someof the functionality of the analysis portal 120 may be encompassedwithin a mobile device (e.g., a smart phone, a smart watch, smartglasses, etc., of a user) having non-contact sensors (e.g.,photoelectric sensors, inductive sensors, capacitive sensors, ultrasonicsensors, etc.) that can determine at least one characteristic (e.g.,flow, color, etc.) of the user's urine without directly contacting theurine. In these embodiments, the user (e.g., the user 270) may walk upto the urinal with the analysis portal on his person (e.g., in his hand,in his pocket or a bag, etc.), and the urinal may detect the analysisportal and convert temporarily into a smart urinal. That is, thenon-contact sensors of the analysis portal may evaluate the urine whenthe user is urinating at the urinal without physically contacting same.As with other embodiments discussed above, the analysis portal may havea display (e.g., where the analysis portal is a smart phone, its displaymay constitute the primary display and/or the secondary display) and theportal may communicate (e.g., wirelessly) with the user 270 and othersbased on the urinalysis. When the user 270 walks away from the urinal, acommunication session between the analysis portal and the urinal may beterminated and the urinal may act as a traditional urinal. In theseembodiments, thus, any urinal may be temporarily converted to a smarturinal via the personal retrofitting device/analysis portal.

In some embodiments, the primary display 116 and/or the secondarydisplay 150 may not be conventional displays (e.g., monitors,televisions, smart phone or other screens), but may simply be areas ofthe urinal body 102 configured to display content. For example, inembodiments, the primary display 116 may be an area of the urinal body102 configured to display content projected onto zone C (or anotherzone) of the urinal 100 by the analysis portal (e.g., a mobile devicesuch as a smart phone). Thus, the term display, as used herein,encompasses traditional displays and any and all other modes that may beused to display content. For instance, in an embodiment, the user'smobile device may encompass some or all of the functionality of theanalysis portal, and may cause content to be displayed (e.g., projected)on the urinal body 102 when the user is at the urinal 100.

In some embodiments, the mobile computer 272 may be a mobile device thatis worn by the user 272 (e.g., wristbands, smart glasses, etc.). Forinstance, in embodiments, the mobile computer 272 may be a wristbandworn by the user 270 which changes colors based on the urinalysisresults (e.g., the wristband may turn from green to red where the bloodalcohol of the user 270 is above the legal driving limit, and changeback from red to green after a given time period taking into account theuser's body weight and blood alcohol level to indicate that the user 270is now sober). Such may, for example, allow law enforcement to readilydetermine that a particular user 270 on the road is intoxicated.

Thus, as has been described, a user 272 may functionally interact withthe urinal 100 and may use same to monitor his health and overallwell-being. The artisan will appreciate that many different arrangementsof the various components depicted, as well as components not shown, arepossible without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. Embodiments of the present disclosure have been describedwith the intent to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternativeembodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art that do notdepart from its scope. A skilled artisan may develop alternative meansof implementing the aforementioned improvements without departing fromthe scope of the present invention.

It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are ofutility and may be employed without reference to other features andsubcombinations and are contemplated within the scope of the claims. Notall steps listed in the various figures need be carried out, and neednot be carried out in the specific order described.

The invention claimed is:
 1. A urinal comprising: a body having aninterior portion and an exterior portion; said interior portionincluding a drain opening and a back wall having an opening extendingtherethrough; said interior portion being configured to receive a fluidand direct said fluid to said drain opening; and a modular analysisportal comprising a sensing part housing and an investigating parthousing removably coupled thereto; said sensing part housing including aplurality of sensors and an electronic target display showing a targetindicia; said investigating part housing comprising a computing devicein data communication with said electronic target display and saidplurality of sensors; wherein: said modular analysis portal is situatedwithin said opening in said back wall such that: (a) said sensing parthousing is in front of said back wall to allow an upper surface of saidsensing part housing to directly receive urine voided by a user; and (b)said investigating part housing is rearwardly adjacent said back wall;and said target indicia dynamically changes in response to contact witha user's voided urine.
 2. The urinal of claim 1, further comprising aprimary display; wherein, said sensing part housing is shaped as atriangular prism, and said investigative part housing is shaped as arectangular cuboid.
 3. The urinal of claim 2, wherein said primarydisplay is situated within the interior portion.
 4. The urinal of claim3, wherein said computing device is configured to wirelessly communicatewith a mobile device of said user.
 5. The urinal of claim 4, whereinsaid computing device includes an authenticator; said authenticatorauthenticating said user when said user is proximate said body.
 6. Theurinal of claim 5, wherein said computing device authenticates said userbased upon a communication with said mobile device.
 7. The urinal ofclaim 4, wherein said analysis portal is further configured towirelessly communicate with a computer associated with an establishmenthousing the urinal.
 8. The urinal of claim 6, wherein at least one ofsaid electronic target display and said primary display displayspersonalized content upon said authentication.
 9. The urinal of claim 8,wherein the computing device includes an alert generator; said alertgenerator communicating an alert to said user in response to anevaluation of at least one characteristic of said urine.
 10. The urinalof claim 6, wherein the computing device contains instructions causing arewards appraiser to communicate a barcode to said mobile device, saidinstructions being stored on non-transitory computer memory.
 11. Theurinal of claim 10, wherein said barcode is a QR code associated with anitem carried by an establishment housing the urinal; said QR codeallowing said user to redeem said item at said establishment.
 12. Aurinal, comprising: a body having an interior portion and an exteriorportion; said interior portion including a drain opening and a back wallhaving an opening extending therethrough; said interior portion beingconfigured to receive a fluid and direct said fluid to said drainopening; and a modular analysis portal having an electronic targetdisplay, said analysis portal being situated within said back wallopening such that a part of the analysis portal is in front of the backwall and another part of the analysis portal is rearwardly adjacent theback wall; said analysis portal configured to select a computing deviceand wirelessly communicate with said computing device in response to adetermination of at least one characteristic of urine voided by a useron said modular analysis portal; wherein: said electronic target displayis situated within said interior portion and is configured to display atarget indicia; said target indicia is configured to direct a user tovoid the user's urine on said electronic target display; and said targetindicia dynamically changes in response to contact with a user's voidedurine.
 13. The urinal of claim 12, wherein said computing device is amobile device associated with said user.
 14. The urinal of claim 12,wherein said computing device is associated with an establishment withinwhich the urinal is located.
 15. The urinal of claim 12, wherein saidelectronic target display is configured to display said target indiciawhen said user is proximate said body.
 16. The urinal of claim 12,wherein the modular analysis portal comprises a sensing part having asensing part housing and an investigating part having an investigatingpart housing; said sensing part housing being coupled to saidinvestigating part housing such that a junction therebetween iswatertight.
 17. A urinal, comprising: a body having an interior portionand an exterior portion; said interior portion having a drain hole and aback wall with an opening extending therethrough; said interior portionbeing configured to receive a fluid and direct said fluid to said drainhole; and a modular analysis portal having a sensing part housing and aninvestigating part housing removably coupled thereto; said sensing parthousing having an electronic target display and a plurality of sensors;wherein said modular analysis portal is situated within said openingsuch that said sensing part housing is in front of the back wall andsaid investigating part housing is rearwardly adjacent the back wall.18. The urinal of claim 17, wherein said modular analysis portal isconfigured to select a computing device in response to a determinationof a characteristic of urine and wirelessly communicates with saidcomputing device.
 19. The urinal of claim 17, wherein said sensing parthousing has a pore and a tube; said tube comprising a plunger; saidplunger being configured to draw a predetermined volume of fluid intothe tube.
 20. The urinal of claim 17, wherein said modular analysisportal includes an olfactory module associated with an olfactory sensor;said olfactory module configured to cause the urinal to flush based upona determination made by the olfactory sensor.